Neil Hodgson believes Fabio Quartararo should reduce his public criticism of Yamaha amid the manufacturer’s difficult MotoGP 2026 campaign. The former rider and MotoGP analyst suggested Quartararo’s repeated comments are creating an increasingly negative atmosphere around the project.
Yamaha continues to struggle to find significant performance gains during the opening phase of the season. The Jerez test and wildcard appearance from Augusto Fernandez failed to provide clear evidence of major progress with the M1 package. This contrasts sharply with previous seasons when Quartararo was still regularly competing for pole positions and top-five finishes.
Technically, Yamaha remains limited in acceleration, top speed, and corner-exit stability compared to rivals such as Ducati and Aprilia. These weaknesses make it difficult for Quartararo to sustain competitive race pace, especially on stop-and-go circuits requiring strong rear traction.
“If I was in Yamaha communications, I would tell him enough. I wouldn’t let him keep speaking to the media because it’s really negative.”
“What he says is the reality, but it doesn’t need to be repeated constantly.”
However, Hodgson also acknowledged that Quartararo’s attitude stems from his highly competitive mentality. According to him, the 2021 MotoGP world champion is intentionally maintaining pressure on Yamaha to prevent the development programme from slowing down.
Meanwhile, Quartararo insisted that his motivation to return to winning remains unchanged. The French rider stated that his current fight is driven by personal ambition rather than proving anything to others.
“When you know the feeling of winning, you don’t want to lose it.”
“I know my speed, I know what I’ve achieved, and I know what I want to achieve again.”
Quartararo also highlighted the growing physical demands of modern MotoGP machinery, emphasising how current bikes require greater physical preparation to consistently perform at maximum level throughout race weekends.
Yamaha’s current situation underlines the pressure facing the Japanese manufacturer as it attempts to close the gap to European rivals. With the European phase of the 2026 season intensifying, the next rounds could become crucial in defining Quartararo’s competitive future with Yamaha.
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